Comcast SportsNet to provide sports coverage for Channel 10

The 2011 acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast has led to an expected relationship between Channel 10, the local NBC-owned television station and Comcast SportsNet.

In January, the two outlets will form a news and programming alliance that will result in cross-pollination between the stations, particularly when it comes to CSN’s forte, sports.

CSN will, in essence, become the sports department for “Channel 10 News.” It will produce and provide coverage to the NBC station, thereby giving its viewers access to the wide range of sources CSN has at its disposal. These include national figures CSN has cultivated through its network of sports stations in markets throughout the country. CSN Philly is already a part of the NBC regional sports operation.

The transfer of NBC 10 sports coverage to CSN will be seamless in one way, John Clark, a Wallingford native and fixture at Channel 10 since 2001, will become an employee of CSN and anchor the 6 and 11 p.m. weeknight sportscasts from the CSN newsroom.

“John might also anchor from the field if he is on assignment away from the newsroom,” a Channel 10 spokesperson said.

For other shows, if sports is included, Channel 10 will cut to the CSN newsroom for the report. The same is true on weekends, said the NBC 10 spokesperson. Clark will be the primary anchor and the face of Channel 10 sports. “We hope that makes the change transparent for viewers.”

Plans can change by January or be adapted, but Clark’s role is set, and a CSN spokesperson said the officials at Comcast are excited by having exposure to a new audience that may not have seen them on CSN.

NBC 10 will effectively have no sports department. Two of three producers assigned to sports will be join the news staff. The third will be laid off. Vai Sikahema, more often seen lately in a news role, will continue news anchor chores for NBC 10. He will report on stories that cross over from sports to news, e.g. about a doping scandal or a sports matter than turns into a general headline. Sikahema January’s changes reflect the major change in sports coverage that has been going on in local news for more than a decade.

Channel 10 will now not have to compete with CSN. As of January, it and CSN are one in terms of sports.

CSN benefits as well. News personnel from NBC 10 will continue to contribute to regular CSNprograms such as “Philly Sports Talk,” “:SportsNite,” and “Full Contact.”

NBC 10’s popular “High School Blitz” program, just finishing its debut season, will become a joint effort. The show already airs on CSN and The Comcast Network in addition to Channel 10. John Clark will remain the host.

In general, the CSN-NBC 10 partnership is positive. It makes the best use of resources at both stations and serves viewers more thoroughly.

A joint press release issued by CSN and NBC 10 says the new relationship ushers in a new era of sports coverage. It just might.